Ishan was standing in his balcony, eyes closed as he felt the drizzle of rain on his face, mind easing into a relaxed state as he breathed in the fresh air, smell of wet soil engulfing his senses. Oh, how much he loves this smell.

He heard the click of the door opening before arms engulfed him from behind, scooping him in a gentle and warm embrace. Sweet fragrance of roses clouded his senses, it was his own body wash but somehow it smelled.....more good, perhaps? It was probably because of Shubman, everything seems more good to Ishan as soon as Shubman comes in the picture. He definitely loves this smell more.

"Shubi, what are you doing, baby?" Ishan asked, softly stroking his hands that were wrapped around his waist.

Shubman had came over to his place to hang out but then the heavy rain started and Ishan insisted for him to stay the night. Maybe him wanting to spend more time with Shubman was a bigger reason than rain. And how can Shubman ever say no to him? Secretly (not really, he's obvious), he was also very excited to stay back, to be with Ishan a little longer.

"Nothing," Shubman mumbled, tightening his hold around Ishan and burying his face in his neck, water dripping down his wet hair onto Ishan's shoulder.

Ishan sucked in a sharp breath, squeezing his eyes shut as he felt Shubman's lips against his skin, the latter's warm breath tickling his neck. He heaved a shaky breath, his heartbeat fastening as he felt goosebumps all over his skin.

"What happened, Ish?" Shubman murmured against his skin and Ishan felt like literal electricty went down his spine.

Ishan gulped, "Nothing,"

Shubman furrowed his brows, pulling back from the hug and turning Ishan around to face him, "Are you okay?" He asked, eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah, I am," Ishan mumbled, shaking his head to get his thoughts straight, "It's just...... you being this close is doing things to my heart," He admitted, breathlessly.

Shubman blinked before a subtle smirk broke out on his lips, "Is it?" He whispered, leaning closer to Ishan's face who's eyes widened, "I never knew I had such an effect on you, Jaan," Whispering near his ear, Shubman pulled back with an innocent smile.

Ishan chuckled breathlessly, his face painted crimson, "Well, good that you do now,"

"Huh? Do what?" Shubman blinked, confused.

Is he the same man from a second ago? Ishan thought.

"Know that you have such an effect on me, idiot," He laughed, gently pushing him away to walk back to the room. However Shubman held him back.

"What now?" Ishan asked.

"Nothing," Shubman smiled cutely before engulfing him in a big hug, swaying themselves side to side. Ishan chuckled, running a hand down his back.

"Aren't you sleepy, baby?" Ishan asked, pulling back, "'Cause I am,"

"No," Shubman pouted, "I just wanna hug you more,"

Ishan smiled, ruffling his hair, "We can cuddle while sleeping, is that fine?"

Shubman grinned widely, shooting him a thumbs up.

Both of them got settled on the bed, wrapping themselves in each other's warmth. Ishan ran his fingers through Shubman's half wet hair, providing him with a soothing feeling clearly indicated by the way the latter sighed contentedly, snuggling closer to him.

"Ish?" Shubman spoke.

"Hm?"

"Where's my forehead kiss?" He asked.

"What forehead kiss? I don't know anything like that," Ishan chuckled, pretending to not know what he was talking about.

Shubman rolled his eyes, "Well, you should've thought that before spoiling me with them. I don't know, I need my kiss now,"

Ishan chuckled again, before placing a gentle peck on his forehead, "Happy now?"

"Very," Shubman giggled, "Good night,"

"Good night, sweetheart," Ishan mumbled, his fingers tracing Shubman's dimples for a moment that deepened as soon as he touched them 'cause Shubman smiled even more wide before he tightly hugged the man again, falling asleep in his warm embrace.

-

The weather was getting very stormy outside, strong winds were flowing, shaking the trees and whatever comes in their way along with a heavy downpour. It was as if the Gods were angry at something the mortals did and they were showering their rage upon earth in the form of raindrops. There were thunderstorms and lightning accompanying the rain, scary to some but also soothing to some, one of them being Mayank, he loved the sound of thunder even if he didn't fancy the rain as much.

He was sitting in his balcony, usually around this time he would sit and admire the moon but tonight the dark clouds had completely encircled the whole of sky, harshly raging down on the surface of the earth, as a result the moon wasn't as much visible; however it still peeked from behind the clouds time to time, probably for the people who admired it so much and were always eager to see it.

It was amusing how the moon and now rain as well and many more random things always reminded him of Abhishek. Moon's shine reminded him of Abhishek's smile, just as bright if not more, the rain reminded him of how much Abhishek loves rain and how beautiful he looks in the rain. Whenever he would pass by a flower shop and his gaze would fall on white tulips, he'll be reminded of the fact that Abhishek loves them so much, even though Mayank never really found them anything compared to his Abhishek's beauty. It was as if his brain connects anything and everything with Abhishek and he don't really minds it, actually, thinking about Abhishek in his free time seems like a very productive thing to do.

He was snapped out of his thoughts (About Abhishek) when his phone rang, it was his mother.

"Hii, Mumma, I missed you," Mayank said as soon as he picked up the phone. He sometimes had sudden urges to run back to the comfort of his family but there was no way college would allow that. Thank God for the phones.

"I missed you too, mere bacche," The older woman smiled, "How are you?"

"I'm perfectly fine," Mayank replied, "Aap aur baaki sab kaise hai ghar mein?"

"Sab bilkul vadhiya hai, tu bata teri padhayi kiddi chal rahi hi?" His mother asked.

"Ekdam first class," Mayank smiled.

"Padhayi ke saath saath dhyan bhi to rakh raha hai na apna?"

"Ji mumma, bilkul," Mayank replied. They talked about random things for a while.

"Can I ask you something, mumma?" Mayank asked.

"Of course you can. Go on," The woman replied.

Mayank hesitated for a moment before he finally asked, "What does being in love feel like?"

"What's with the sudden question? Are you in love with someone?"

"Shayad," Mayank replied, smiling as he thought of Abhishek. Is what he feels for the man really love?

"That is why I'm asking you. How did you realise you were in love with Papa?" He asked.

"Hm, see I'm not an expert in love but from my understanding, love is a very complex feeling but it's so simple at the same time," His mother muttered, "When you starts finding comfort in someone's presence, when at times they seem like the sole reason to not give up, when you realise you'll do anything to see them smile, no matter how big or extreme that thing is, maybe that's what love is,"

Mayank listened quietly, his heartbeat fastening by each passing second. He does feel all of these things about Abhishek, his presence had always been a source of comfort and joy for Mayank. There had been times when the pressure of life got too much and there was nothing to look forward anymore, Abhishek was one of the biggest reason he hadn't given up. Mayank is sure that he can do anything to keep that bright smile intact on Abhishek's face, even if it costs him his life. Does that means, he's in love, like love-love with Abhishek? The thought itself made him feel all giddy.

"When almost everything reminds you of that one person,"

Mayank shook himself out of his thoughts, focusing on his mother's words again.

"You know, Mayu," His mother muttered, he could hear the smile and fondness in her voice, "It's so funny but even samose reminds me of your father,"

Mayank chuckled, "Samose? Why?"

"I was very stressed for an important exam when we were in our first year of college," She said, reminiscing the old days, "Fortunately the exam went well so your father treated me to samosas from our canteen, that was also the day when he told me that he likes me,"

"So, that's why whenever I see samosas now, it always reminds me of your father and that day," She added with a chuckle.

"That's so cute," Mayank smiled. His parents' love was his favourite and idol kind of love, it was adorable how even after so many years they were still so in love and passionate about each other, they never allowed the spark to go down.

"So, did any of this ticked your list?" His mother asked.

"It did, all of it," Mayank smiled.

"Listen, Mayank, I can't tell you if you're in love or not," His mother stated, "You have to figure that out by yourself 'cause it's your feelings. But I can tell you one thing,"

"And what is that?" Mayank asked.

"If you do find a love like this, then hold onto it tightly. Don't let it go, at any cost," His mother advised, "Life doesn't give you chances at love again and again, so if you're given one, grab it before it's too late,"

Mayank looked at the sky as he listened to his mother's words, just then the moon peeked out a little bit from behind the clouds and Mayank realised that no, Abhishek's smile is not as bright as the moon, it is more bright than any moon could ever be.

Grab it before it's too late. Grab it before it's too late. Grab it before it's too lat-

"Mayank, are you there, beta?"

"Yes, mumma, I am," Mayank smiled as he got up,  "But I need to go now, I'll call you later," It was like an epiphany washed over him as he mumbled, hurrying out of the apartment before hastily locking the door.

"Okay, bye. Dhyan rakhna,"

"Aap bhi."

-

I wasn't going to post it already but I am, Cause we won the match, Yayyy!!! What a match it was!! I was a little scared when the bowling innings started kyoki wickets jaane ka naam nahi le rahe the, but all turned out well, phew.

Tbh apni win se jyada Aussies ki haar ki khushi hai cause agar vo qualify ho gye to, sabko pata hi hai kya hota hai

Also at first I was thinking to write the whole Abhiyank thing in one chapter but vo jyada lamba ho jata. And I thought it'll be real nice to give you guys a cliffhanger, not exactly like a cliffhanger but still.

I also made the Playlist, added the songs you guys suggested and some by my own. It's kind of a jumble of hindi and english songs, a few punjabi as well. Tell me if you'd like me to add more. Link is in the comments.

Bye-bye.
Love ya 🌌💖